They want the government to announce a national framework for Positron Emission Tomography scanners, which can make a difference in at least one in four lung cancer cases.

There are only five PET scanners in use in the NHS - all in London.

Non-smoker Terry, from Mossley Hill, who was diagnosed 14 years ago and has raised more than £150,000 for lung cancer research, said: "I'm one of the lucky ones. So many people die from this terrible disease.

"It's my responsibility to represent the views and interests of lung cancer patients.

"Making PET scanners more widely available will help identify the best treatment.

"It's so important people aren't put through the physical and emotional stress of unnecessary surgery when the technology exists to prevent it happening."

The PET scanners can pick up possible disease earlier than other methods of scanning such as MRI or CT scans and distinguish between benign and malignant tumours.

Cancer experts and charities, including Roy Castle lung cancer foundation, want the government to establish PET camera facilities at 15 UK sites in the next three to five years.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. There are 38,000 lung cancer patients diagnosed in the UK each year.